Problems with democracy: Germany blocks export of Eurofighter jets to Turkey

Recently, on 17 April, the German government officially blocked the supply of about three dozen Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey. This was reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper, citing sources close to the decision-making process.

Here's What We Know

The reason for this step was the events in Turkey, namely the recent arrest of one of the leading opposition leaders, Ekrem Imamoglu. German officials viewed the detention as a threat to Turkish democracy and expressed concern about the political motivation of the charges.

They stressed that in the face of a serious violation of democratic standards, continued military cooperation is impossible.

Imamoglu, who has long been considered the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was accused of corruption. The Turkish opposition sees this as a political reprisal ahead of potential presidential elections. His arrest caused a wide response both in Turkey and among NATO partners.

Berlin's decision was a major setback for Turkey's plans to modernise its air force. It has also caused tensions within the Eurofighter consortium, which includes the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. It is unclear whether the German veto will be overridden or a compromise solution will be found.

This move increases tensions on NATO's southern flank and raises the question of Turkey's democratic backsliding once again. There is growing concern in Europe about Ankara's political course, which creates additional risks in the unstable Eastern Mediterranean.

Source: Handelsblatt